Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said he does not direct the actions of the 10 bishops calling for the resignation of Catholicos Karekin II, but he welcomes and supports them, 1lurer.am reports.

He also referred to the Catholicos as a "sectarian."

“The Armenian Apostolic Church must be protected from Ktrich Nersisyan and the group of sectarians who have seized the Mother See. I’ve already said that Ktrich Nersisyan and his close circle are sectarians who have hijacked and distorted the faith of the Armenian Apostolic Church,” Pashinyan stated.

He added that the 10 bishops are members of the Etchmiadzin Brotherhood, giving them legitimacy to call for a gathering at the Mother See.

“They belong to the Etchmiadzin monastic complex, and it belongs to them. Their invitation to assemble there is completely legitimate. They are diocesan leaders inviting the faithful of their regions,” he said, listing the bishops from Ararat, Armavir, and Masis dioceses.

Pashinyan clarified that his only connection to the bishops is a shared agenda: reforming the Armenian Apostolic Church, which he says is “impossible without removing Ktrich Nersisyan”.

He also declared that the Armenian government will not recognize “any decisions made by Ktrich Nersisyan”, including the defrocking of clerics such as Father Aram Asatryan, Father Tade, and Father Taron, whom the government continues to consider active clergy.

Pashinyan concluded by thanking the bishops for “their courage” and pledged continued support “through all legal and faith-based means.”

He also ruled out any potential for clashes.

“There is no possibility of confrontation. Law enforcement agencies have all the tools necessary to neutralize any provocateurs in accordance with the law,” he said.

Earlier, a group of bishops who had met with Prime Minister Pashinyan issued a call for supporters to join them on December 18 at the Mother See to demand the resignation of Catholicos Karekin II. The Aragatsotn clergy also announced that a joint prayer, initially planned for Byurakan, would now be held in Holy Etchmiadzin.

This was followed by calls from citizens, including public and political figures, to gather at 15:30 in support of the Church and the Catholicos.